Portable golf ball washer and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A portable golf ball washer additionally useful for wiping dirt from golf club heads is shown and described herein. The device generally includes an outer pouch that contains an inner lining. A top of the pouch has an opening to receive a golf ball or club head. A preferred embodiment discloses the outer pouch made from durable ostrich leather also having quill bumps to aid in controlling and grasping the device. The inner lining is composed of micro fiber cloth material. The device is sized optimally and appropriately to fit inside a golfer&#39;s pant or jacket pocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally golf accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices and methods for wiping and cleaning golf balls and golf clubs. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a portable golf ball washer device and method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many devices have been introduced for washing golf ball accessories such as club head and golf balls. Examples of some previously known devices may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,619 (Michalak), U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,536 (Hartz), U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,299 (Duda), U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,974 (Stolzman), U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,358 (Wyckoff), U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,063 (Jordan), U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,136 (Flanders), U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,486 (Persic), U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,455 (Crossley), U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,586 (Dorrich). U.S. Pat. No. 5.638,567 (Danyuk), U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,232 (Frey). U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,330 (Nelson), U.S. Pat. No. (Hovnanian), U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,122 (Bogle), U.S. Pat. No. (Billek), U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,080 (Hendren), U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,386 (McDonald), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,305 (Joh).

As related by Joh, although the known devices are generally effective for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for a highly versatile, yet structurally simple, durable and easy to use washing apparatus and method for golfing accessories. Further, a solution is needed that specifically envisions golfers playing in rainy conditions or soon following rainy weather.

Yet further, a solution is needed that is highly portable as golfers are typically

reluctant to carry a towel with them from, for example, golf cart to putting green. In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Portable Golf Ball Washer And Method Thereof that is simple, durable and is able to easily fit completely inside a pocket of a user. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a portable golf ball washer and method thereof that is particularly functional in wet conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned

deficiencies, more specifically, the present invention is directed to a method for washing golf balls comprising: providing outer material substantially rectangular in shape having lateral sides; folding the outer material over; sewing the lateral sides together forming a pouch having an opening; lining the outer material with micro fiber material; placing a golf ball inside the pouch; and wiping the golf ball with movement of a user's hand on an outside of the pouch.

Additionally, a method of the present invention is further characterized in that the

step of lining the outer material further comprises: providing the micro fiber material substantially rectangular in shape and slightly smaller than the outer material; folding the micro fiber material over; sewing the lateral sides together forming a pouch; and sewing the micro fiber to the outer material around a rim area of the opening.

Still further the method for washing golf balls may be additionally characterized as

comprising the steps of: providing an outer material having quill bumps; and gripping the pouch with assistance from the quill bumps. The outer material may be any kind of leather or synthetic leather. The method for washing golf balls also includes: pulling the micro fiber material from an interior to an exterior with respect to the outer material; and washing the micro fiber material by hand. Yet further the step of sewing the micro fiber to the outer material around a rim area of the opening includes folding the outer material over the micro fiber material.

In another aspect, the invention may be characterized as a portable golf ball washer

comprising: an outer pouch comprising material having quill bumps on an outer surface thereof and further having seams on lateral sides; and an inner pouch joined to the outer pouch at a rim area of the golf ball washer, the inner pouch having seams on lateral sides, wherein the outer pouch material is disposed over material forming inner pouch.

As an example and not by way of limitation, the outer pouch material measures 6¾″ by 10½″; and the inner pouch comprises material measuring 6″ by 9″.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, or similar applicable law, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. or similar applicable law. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a profile view of the invention embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line 4-4 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration showing an inner lining pulled out for cleaning the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a portable golf ball washing device 10 is illustrated. The device resembles a pouch 10 comprising inner 22 and outer 12 materials. An upper portion of the device has an opening 16 to receive a golf ball 11. The inside lining material 22 is used to contact a golf ball 11 and clean it by wiping motions. Outer material comprises seams 13, 14 on lateral sides. Similarly, inside lining material also includes seams 24 on lateral sides and joins with the outer material with a seam 15 around a rim area of the opening 16.

Also referring to FIG. 1, a grommet 19 is provided so that the golfer may optionally attach the portable golf ball washer 10 to a golf bag. In a preferred method embodiment, grommet 19 is stamped through a rim area of the pouch 10 adjacent to seams 14, 24 and through seam 15. Further, grommet 19 may be stamped through both inner 22 and outer 12 materials approximately in the area that the outer material 12 folds over inner material 22 when forming seam 15 as shown in FIG. 1. Tag 99 is additionally included and can provide a trademark or a brand name on one side while further providing washing (FIG. 5) instructions on an opposite side.

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the pouch 10 is illustrated. Importantly, outer

material 12 is composed of durable material, ostrich leather, for example. Also importantly, the leather 12 further comprises quill bumps 17, or other type bumps 17 that serve as traction for a user. And, it is further contemplated that the portable golf ball washer 10 will perform particularly well in wet conditions; and further wet conditions on a golf course will additionally increase the frequency of ball cleaning by golfers.

With reference to FIG. 3, a profile view is illustrated revealing a side aspect in the general shape of a cone. In this way, opening 16 is relatively the widest area of the pouch and the profile gradually tapers to bottom edge 18. Bottom edges 18, 28 of inner and outer materials do not comprise a seem, but rather, it is where inner 22 and outer 11 materials fold over upon one another. In a preferred embodiment, inner material 22 comprises micro fiber cloth appropriate as a cleaning surface. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 further illustrates how inner 22 and outer 12 materials relate to one another. Inner material 22 is able to be pulled through the opening 16 for cleaning purposes. In the example, a water faucet 51 is applied to the inner material 22 while outer material 12 remains relatively dry.

It is additionally contemplated that the pouch 10 will be ideally sized to fit inside a golfer's pants or jacket pocket. In a particular embodiment, the outer material 12 is formed from material that measures 6¾ inches by 10½ inches. And this size outer material 12 is a fit for inner pouch micro fiber cloth 22 that measures 6 inches by 9 inches.

While the particular herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 

1. A method for washing golf balls comprising: providing outer material substantially rectangular in shape having lateral sides; folding the outer material over; sewing the lateral sides together forming a pouch having an opening; lining the outer material with micro fiber material; placing a golf ball inside the pouch; and wiping the golf ball with movement of a user's hand on an outside of the pouch.
 2. The method for washing golf balls of claim 1, the lining the outer material comprising: providing the micro fiber material substantially rectangular in shape and slightly smaller than the outer material; folding the micro fiber material over; sewing the lateral sides together forming a pouch; and sewing the micro fiber to the outer material around a rim area of the opening,
 3. The method for washing golf balls of claim 1, further comprising: providing an outer material having quill bumps; and gripping the pouch with assistance from the quill bumps.
 4. The method for washing golf balls of claim 1 wherein the outer material is leather material.
 5. The method for washing golf balls of claim 1 wherein the outer material is vinyl material.
 6. The method for washing golf balls of claim 1 further comprising: pulling the micro fiber material from an interior to an exterior with respect to the outer material; and washing the micro fiber material by hand.
 7. The method for washing golf balls of claim 1 wherein the sewing the micro fiber to the outer material around a rim area of the opening comprises folding the outer material over the micro fiber material.
 8. A portable golf ball washer comprising: an outer pouch comprising material having bumps on an outer surface thereof and further having seams on lateral sides; and an inner pouch joined to the outer pouch at a rim area of the golf ball washer, the inner pouch having seams on lateral sides, wherein the outer pouch material is disposed over material forming inner pouch.
 9. The portable golf ball washer of claim 8 wherein the outer pouch material comprises leather.
 10. The portable golf ball washer of claim 8 wherein the bumps comprise quill bumps.
 11. The portable golf ball washer of claim 8 wherein the outer pouch material comprises vinyl.
 12. The portable golf ball washer of claim 8 wherein the outer pouch material measures 6¾″ by 10½″.
 13. The portable golf ball washer of claim 8 wherein the inner pouch comprises material measuring 6″ by 9″. 